May 25, 2024 – Stir Cove – Council Bluffs, IA

Council Bluffs, Iowa was the place to be on Sunday night May 25, 2024!

Marcus King, known primarily as a blues guitarist with a uniquely soulful voice, has been on the rise, and he brought his Mood Swings World Tour to a packed house at Stir Cove. His guitar heroics, showcased in his previous albums produced by Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys), have set the tone for his live performances, and thousands of fans at Stir had the chance to experience it.

The show opened with JJ Wilde, a 29-year-old Canadian rock singer, who brought a fresh energy to the stage. This was my first time seeing her live, and she looked and sounded fantastic.  Wilde isn’t just an incredible vocalist; she’s also an amazing guitarist.  She switched effortlessly between electric and acoustic, showing off her versatility and skill.  Her music blends guitar rock with blues, grunge, hip-hop, and even a touch of gospel. She was all smiles onstage and she had an almost magnetic charisma. 

Wilde’s debut album, Ruthless, won the Juno award for Canadian Rock Album of the Year in 2021, and she has almost 170 thousand monthly listeners on Spotify.  An awesome way to kick off the show!

After a brief intermission, it was time for Marcus King!

From the first note, it was clear we were in for a treat. King’s guitar playing is nothing short of mesmerizing—it’s like watching a master at work. Marcus has been playing guitar since he was 3 years old, and it shows. Fun fact: Marcus comes from a musical family; his father, Marvin King, is also a musician and heavily influenced his style.

Throughout the night, Marcus and his band delivered a mix of blues, rock, and a bit of Southern soul. They played tracks from his latest album, “Mood Swings,” as well as some older favorites. One standout moment was when he played “Goodbye Carolina.” The emotion in his voice and the intensity of his guitar solos were enough to give everyone chills. 

The band was tight, and you could see the chemistry between Marcus and his bandmates. They were having a blast on stage, and that energy spilled over into the crowd. Marcus’s voice is another highlight—gritty and soulful, with just the right amount of rasp. It’s the perfect match for his bluesy guitar riffs.

Throughout his set, Marcus told stories between songs. He talked about growing up in South Carolina, his musical journey, and the inspiration behind some of his songs. It added a personal touch to the concert, making it feel like we were all just hanging out with him.

King has over 1.3 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and he’s not slowing down anytime soon!

If you ever get the chance to see Marcus King live, do it. His guitar playing, soulful voice, and genuine stage presence make for an unforgettable concert experience.

Marcus King is a true talent, and it’s exciting to think about where his career will go from here. I’m already looking forward to the next time I can catch him live!

Marcus King Setlist:

• Beautiful Stranger
• The Well
• Homesick
• This Far Gone
• F*ck My Life Up Again
• Hero
• Me or Tennessee
• Inglewood Motel
• Good Time Charlie’s Got the Blues
• Wildflowers & Wine
• Delilah
• Bipolar Love
• Save Me
• Lie Lie Lie
• Goodby Carolina
• Can’t You See

JJ Wilde

Marcus King